On the 8th, J, K, and L pod exited the area, but on the 9th, Group A of J pod and K pod (minus K16, K21, and K35) had returned and have continued to stick around since then. Aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions on the 11th, we caught up with matrilines from both pods but spent most of our time with the J16's (Slick J16, Mike J26, Alki J36, and Echo J42) and Cali K34.
For an extended period of time, Alki was on what looked like a date with Cali (from the K13's). The two would surface together, with Cali occasionally arching his belly out of the water beside her, showing off his sea snake. Alki back dived and spy hopped multiple times and at one point, she also arched her belly out of the water beside him. Their date took place a short distance away from the rest of Alki's family, who joined them for a few minutes at one point before the Cali and Alki headed off together again. While those two were off flirting, Slick, Mike, and Echo rested and socialized together. Echo found lots of bull kelp to play with as well during our encounter. She draped the kelp over her rostrum, and even spy hopped twice with a strand hanging from her mouth.
For an extended period of time, Alki was on what looked like a date with Cali (from the K13's). The two would surface together, with Cali occasionally arching his belly out of the water beside her, showing off his sea snake. Alki back dived and spy hopped multiple times and at one point, she also arched her belly out of the water beside him. Their date took place a short distance away from the rest of Alki's family, who joined them for a few minutes at one point before the Cali and Alki headed off together again. While those two were off flirting, Slick, Mike, and Echo rested and socialized together. Echo found lots of bull kelp to play with as well during our encounter. She draped the kelp over her rostrum, and even spy hopped twice with a strand hanging from her mouth.
Mike (born in 1991) tail slaps next to his mother, Slick (born around 1972).
Alki (born in 1999) spy hops during her date.
Echo (born in 2007) spy hops with kelp in her mouth.
Alki spy hops again.
Mike does an inverted tail slap while Echo joins in with a few pectoral fin slaps beside him.
Cali surfaces to breathe during the date with Alki. He was born in 2001.
Later that evening, I caught up with J and K pod from shore at Lime Kiln State Park. Cali was back with his family and Alki was back with hers. Echo still found time to play with more bull kelp as she swam past.
Sequim K12 (born around 1972) surfaces close to shore.
Echo picks up kelp with her tail.
Mike and Alki.
What amazing encounters! More to come!
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
Please do not use my photos without permission. Just ask :)
